This monthly policy briefing is a compilation of the latest academic research, government report and sector insights relating to outcomes based commissioning and social impact bonds. Let us know if you have any articles you'd like to share with us by emailing Grace, Policy and Engagement Officer, grace.young@bsg.ox.ac.uk
Building the tools for public services to secure better outcomes: Collaboration, Prevention, Innovation– the GO Lab have just launched our first evidence report. This looks at the state of play of current UK SIBs and sets the scene for a more constructive debate within the sector
Social Impact Bonds: an agnostic stance– Pioneer’s post covered our report and this article sets out the key findings and makes a call for more transparency across the sector. GO Lab, Pioneers Post
Evaluation of the Social Impact Bond trailblazers in Health and Social Care - PIRU have completed an evaluation of the SIBs in health and social care in England, their report has just been published here.
Social Impact Bonds have a role but are no panacea for public service reform – This piece provides a commentary on the PIRU Report above from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who worked in partnership with PIRU.
There is also a short article in Third Sector that covers the PIRU report, you can view it here.
Full report – Educate Girls Development Impact Bond Final Evaluation Report – This DIB was a success in providing and improving education for girls in rural India over 3 years. It measured learning and enrollment and exceeded expectations. This report is 12 pages long and an interesting read, with useful insights about outcomes set and results found. Page 4 provides a quick summary of findings.
Summary - World’s first development impact bond for education shows successful achievement of outcomes in its final year – This article summarises the final results of the DIB showing improvement in student enrollment and learning outcomes. They also include simple graphs that are explain each year of the contract and what this looks like in reality. Brookings
Commentary - Development Impact Bonds are costly, cumbersome – and good – This article provides a commentary on the world’s first DIB, reflecting on the challenges and the ways they can be useful. Economist
Webcast -What can we learn from the results of the world’s first development impact bond in education? – This Development Impact Bond aims to increase enrolment of out-of-school girls and improve learning outcomes for boys in Rajasthan, India. You can watch the recorded webcast of the event in Washington DC that discuss the results and learnings from the first year of the programme. Brookings
Public service commissioning origins, influences and characteristics– This academic piece looks at the term commissioning and how it has evolved over several decades. It seeks to make sense of the concept and begins to unpack the elements that distinguish commissioning from other approaches. SIBs get a brief mention in 5.5, Gary Sturgess, Policy Design and Practice
The value of pay-for-performance in England: An evaluation of NHS England’s Quality Outcomes Framework - Anant Jani has produced a new report that looks into the Quality Outcomes Framework in the NHS. It finds that in its current format, NHS England’s QOF does not facilitate the delivery of higher value care and there is need to re-examine the structure and use of it to deliver higher value care in England.
The EVPA’s Policy Nexus 2017-2018 – This showcases concrete examples of policy measures and initiatives from across Europe in support of social enterprises. The GO Lab have been featured and you can read their piece that shares how we research, advice and connect, as well as our role in the ‘ecosystem’.
Clinks - RR3 Special interest group on commissioning family services – Following input in the design of the commissioning process for family services and ongoing feedback to HM Prison and Probation Service on its implementation, the Special Interest Group has developed a paper to support future commissioning processes. The paper covers five core principles for better commissioning: market engagement, market stewardship, developing high quality services, service user involvement and equalities. Clinks
The use of a Social Impact Bond for Edge of Care provision – as seen through the lens of a Head of Service in a Local Authority – Tanya Gillett shares her on the ground experience of developing a SIB and is very open about the challenges, the lessons learned and what might be a good way forward. Tanya is Head of Youth Offending Service at Essex County Council and a GO Lab Fellow.
The divide between Outcomes Based Commissioning and Social Impact Bonds – The third part of the series from Traverse presented the key findings from the survey of English Local Authorities relating to OBC (generally) and SIBs (specifically). It explores similarities, differences and the implications of these. Chih Hoong Sin, Traverse
Why the Social Value Act needs another push– Chris White argues, ‘we’ve proved that considering social value in public procurement can work, now - post-Carillion - the UK government must have the courage to help its reach its full potential,’ Pioneers Post
Has social investment lived up to its promise – Short video with opinions from Jessica Brown of The Connect Fund, Jonathon Bland of E3M & Social Business Int., and Baroness Glenys Thornton from the Young Foundation. Highlight - ‘we need to keep the social in social investment’ Pioneers Post
Shan Morgan: collaboration is enshrined in Welsh law – here’s how we’re doing it– The Welsh government permanent secretary and collaboration category champion outlines the main ingredients needed to break down silos. Civil Service World
The Magic of ‘Multisolving’– Not strictly relevant to outcomes-based commissioning, but a quick and interesting read about cross sector collaboration and relationship management. Elizabeth Swain, Stanford Social Innovation Review